Sensing the tendon tension through the conduit reaction forces

US8056423B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US
• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Muhammad E. Abdallah · Houston, US
• Lyndon Bridgwater · Houston, US
• Myron A. Diftler · Houston, US
• Douglas Martin Linn · Cave Springs, US
• Charles W. Wampler, II · Birmingham, US
• Robert Platt · Houston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 12, 2008
• Grant date: Nov 15, 2011
• Expiry date: Apr 24, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01L5/226
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A technique that determines the tension in a tendon using a conduit reaction force applied to an end of a conduit through which the tendon is threaded. Any suitable tendon tension sensor can be employed that uses the conduit reaction force for this purpose. In one non-limiting embodiment, the tendon tension sensor includes a cylindrical strain gauge element and a force member mounted to an end of the conduit. The force member includes a cylindrical portion having a bore and a plate portion, where the cylindrical portion is inserted into a bore in the strain gauge element. The tendon is threaded through the strain gauge element and the force member. A strain gauge is mounted to the strain gauge element and measures the reaction force when tension on the tendon causes the strain gauge element to be pushed against the force member.